Electric Vehicles

Cadillac Debuts 2014 ELR Extended-Range EV in Detroit

January 23, 2013
• by Staff

GM’s Cadillac brand debuted its all-new 2014-MY Cadillac ELR at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The ELR is based on GM’s Converj concept and integrates the automaker's Extended Range Electric Vehicle (EREV) technology into a Cadillac platform. GM said it plans to begin ELR production in the United States in late 2013 and begin selling it in early 2014 in North America. The automaker plans to expand sales of this vehicle to global markets, including China and Europe.

Performance

The ELR comes with a 1.4L gasoline-powered electric generator capable of generating 207 hp of total system power. The ELR features a T-shaped 16.5 kW lithium-ion battery to an electric drive unit that can produce up to 295 lb.-ft. of instant torque. In an all-electric mode, GM estimates the vehicle has a range of about 35 miles, depending on driving conditions. The driver can activate an option called “Hold” to operate the vehicle in electric-only mode. The ELR’s battery can be completely recharged in 4.5 hours using a 240v outlet or charge via 120v outlet.

GM said the ELR’s battery is covered by an eight-year/100,000-mile warranty. The vehicle also features enhanced AT-PZEV emissions technology that meets California’s criteria for single-occupancy access to high occupancy vehicle lanes.

GM said users schedule charging either immediately or at set times and coordinate charging according to departure times or during off-peak electrical use hours. Owners also can manage and monitor the ELR online or with their smartphone and an OnStar-powerd RemoteLink app.

While operating, GM said it added a driver-activated feature that sounds a noise to alert pedestrians in an intersection. The automaker said it developed the alert in conjunction with the American Federation of the Blind.